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Microsoft Enters Wearables Sector with Phone Charging Pants

Most industry analysts in the tech industry have expected Microsoft’s first foray into the wearables sector to be a smartwatch. Instead, it seems that Microsoft’s first wearable tech product is actually a pair of pants that can charge a cell phone – but statements from Microsoft regarding this new product offer hints that the smartwatch announcement is just around the corner.

According to a post on ABC News, Microsoft Mobile has teamed up with Adrien Sauvage, a British fashion designer, to craft a pair of pants with a Nokia DC-50 wireless charging plate built into the pockets. Using electromagnetic induction, the plate can charge a cell phone that’s placed into the pants pocket, while users can charge the plate itself via Micro USB.

According to the report, the pants will be available for pre-order on Amazon in the near future – but they won’t come cheap, apparently costing “over $340.” Of course, most wearable technology devices carry a premium price. Considering that the plate by itself already costs over a hundred dollars at retail, having the charger crammed into a pair of fashionable pants might make the whole enterprise a bit costly.

It’s also important to keep in mind that these pants were unveiled at a fashion show in London last night. As such, they may not necessarily be built with the common consumer in mind. However, they do provide some valuable insight into what the future may hold for the integration of clothes and technology.

While pants that can charge your cell phone are interesting, it’s actually the comments made by Microsoft Mobile UK marketing director Adam Johnson that seem to indicate that the company may have a new wearable device up its sleeve after all.

“We’re passionate about having experiences that aren’t reliant on a mobile phone,” said Johnson, quoted by a post published by The Drum. “Technology is moving away from just having a standard mobile phone device but also we want to create technology that you want to use and wearables should be.”

Moreover, Microsoft’s partnership with Sauvage reveals that its smartwatch, whenever it shows up, may end up looking a bit better than some of the competition.

“We’re working with people who ultimately, their job is to design beautiful, stylish products and working directly with them to really integrate technology in a useful and meaningful way that doesn’t detract from it being something you genuinely want to wear,” he said.

Even with Johnson’s comments, there isn’t much more in this news that shows Microsoft’s smartwatch intentions – but we know it’s coming. Indeed, the company has obtained a patent from the USTPO, and sources have said that we can expect Microsoft to unveil its smartwatch as early as this summer.

Summertime – or shortly thereafter – is a good bet, too. Google and its partners will soon release the first Android Wear devices, and Apple is expected to release the iWatch later this year. As such, it seems clear that when it comes to Microsoft entering the smartwatch game, it’s only a matter of time.

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